Retroactive annuity

Q. My wife quit her federal government job but did not know at age 62 she would be entitled to an annuity. We have since applied for her annuity. She had worked approximately 17 years. She is 63 years old, and we have applied to OPM. Will they back pay her from age 62?

A. Assuming that she didn’t receive a refund of her retirement contributions when she left, her annuity will be retroactive to the first month in which she was eligible for an annuity. If she did receive a refund, her entitlement to an annuity would have been canceled.